Eating poop

[kaye1225]

My DS is 24 months old and for the last couple weeks everytime he goes poop he hides and gets in his diaper and eats his poop.  Its really gross and I dont know what to do about it.  Could something be wrong with him, can it make him sick, and how do I keep him from doing it.

[pranava]

Yes, I would say that could potentially make him sick.  If he just squished it or smeared it, I would say it was playing.  If he maybe put it in his mouth once, I might say he was curious, but if he is seriously eating it, maybe some kind of nutritional deficit?  or a form of Pica?  I'd talk to your pediatrician if it continues.

[Llyra]

Even if it doesn't make him sick (I really know very little about that), it's gross. My DD2 used to sleep with one hand shoved in her diaper, and we had some really nasty incidents as a result. I learned to dress her in clothes that made it impossible for her to get to the diaper-- put the diaper itself on backwards, then put on overalls, and a snap-bottom t-shirt if you can still find those in her size, secured with a safety pin for extra security. Dritz diaper pins are still available in many places, and those are extra safe if you worry about the pins. Another solution we found was to put on a diaper cover, over the diaper, and then secure the shirt to it with safety pins, all around. That way you limit access. In the meantime, it might be helpful to consult with your health care professional about this.